Page:A history of the military transactions of the British nation in Indostan, Volume 1.djvu/359

Book V. the Bramin accompanied him, and was present during his whole conversation with the regent: who began by exclaiming against the Nabob for his breach of faith, and asked what reasons the English could have for supporting him in it. Poniapah answered, that he had assisted them in defending Fort St. David, when attacked by the French in 1748. Poniapah then asked the regent what he had in his heart; who replied, that if the English would pay him all the expences he had incurred during the war, he would go away; or if they would give him the city, he would pay their expences: or lastly, if the Nabob and his whole family, would come and throw themselves at his feet, beg for mercy, and own themselves beggars, that would satisfy him. Why, said he, do the English stay here and spend their money to no purpose; my expence is no greater than it would be if I remained in Mysore. Poniapah replied, that he knew the English would give up the city, if their expences were reimbursed; for that he had seen a letter to this purport, written by the governor of Madrass, five or six months ago. The regent said he was ready to make the agreement, but that it must be kept a secret from the French, for he would not trust them, knowing that they wanted the city for themselves. Poniapah assured him, that the business might be concluded as soon as Mr. Palk arrived at Tanjore; and in answer to questions made by the regent, he told him, that the English got all their provisions from Tondiman's country, that there were only provisions for two months in the city, and likewise revealed several other interesting particulars of their condition. The regent assured him, that if the negociation succeeded, he would give him a great reward in money, a number of villages, and the command of a thousand Bramins: for Poniapah himself was a Bramin. The conference then finished, and Poniapah, at his return to camp, reported to the major such part of it only as could not prejudice himself; he likewise ordered the Bramin to say nothing of what he had heard to any one, excepting his master Peramrauze, and to tell him only such particulars as he himself intended to relate to the major. Some time after the commissary's business requiring the Bramin to go to Tanjore, Poniapah was averse to his departure. On his return from thence he was